TDOT to perform traffic shift on US 27 in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Weather permitting, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening, May 17and ending by 7 a.m. EDT on Saturday morning, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will perform a traffic shift to move traffic to the newly-constructed southbound traffic lanes. During the traffic shift, the southbound manufacturer’s road ramps will require periodic and possibly extended closures during the night to prepare for the new traffic pattern.

Once completed, traffic will shift from the previously-closed Whitehall Road slip ramp to the Manning Street Bridge. The new southbound entrance and exit ramps at Manufacturer’s Road will also be opened with a new traffic signal in place.

Should inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances prevent this traffic shift from occurring as scheduled, it will be rescheduled to take place as soon as possible.

Overhead signs and message boards will be used to prepare drivers of the impending traffic shift and traffic pattern change as well as to assist with the safety of motorists and construction personnel. The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be on duty during the traffic shift to assist with traffic control. Motorists are urged to avoid the construction area during this traffic shift because of potential delays due to congestion and/or periodic closures.

This phase of construction is part of the large project underway to reconstruct U.S. 27 from the Olgiati Bridge over the Tennessee River to Signal Mountain Boulevard (SR-8/U.S. 127). The contractor for the $104 million project is Wright Brothers Construction Co., Inc. of Charleston, Tenn. The estimated completion date for the entire project is December 21, 2014.

For travel information visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway or call 5‑1‑1. You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT’s multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets @TN511 or Chattanooga area alerts @Chattanooga511.

Android and iPhone users can download TDOT’s SmartWay Mobile App to assist them in navigating Tennessee highways. The app provides up-to-the-minute customized traffic information and enables the user to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras, messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs, and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes. The TDOT SmartWay App is free and available for download in the Apple App Store and Play Store for Android.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

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